Folding chair



Nov. 3, 1931. J. B. ADLER 1,830,523

FOLDING CHAIR Filed May 25, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l JOHN ,5. 0; 5,?

J. B. ADLER FOLDING CHAIR Nov. 3, 1931.

Filed May 25, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .[NVENTOR JOHN .5. A01. ER 3 @Zew-w Ar-w Nov. 3, 1931. J. B. ADLER FOLDING CHAIR Filed May 25, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 [/WE/v TOR JOHN B. ADL ER Patented Nov. 3, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN B. ADLER, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MES NE ASSIGNMENTS, TO LYON- -METAL PRODUCTS, INCORPORATED, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS FOLDING CHAIR Applicationfiled May 25, 1927. Serial No. 194,204.

My invention relates to folding chairs, particularly those composed in whole or in part of metal, and the general object of the invention is to provide a chair of this type which shall be rugged, durable, attractive in appearance and comparatively cheap to manufacture, Another object is to provide a construction such that when the chair is folded it will maintain itself in that condition unless an appreciable force is applied to it to put it in erect condition, that is, in conditon for use. This characteristic is accomplished, generally speaking, by making certain of the parts slightly resilient, and so constructing and arranging the parts in general that as the seat moves up to folded position it will move past the dead center and hence be retained in such folded position.

Another object is to provide a chair of this character which in being changed from folded to erect condition will automatically lock itself in erect condition, thus avoiding the possibility of the chair collapsingwhile in use or in case it comes into contact with external objects in being moved, around. A still further object is to obtain great rigidity when the chair is erect, thus affordingv a sense of substantiality and firmness when in use.

Other objects and improved structural features willbe referred to at length in the following description and particularly pointed out in the sub-joined claims,reference being made to the accompanying drawings inwhich a practical embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

- In said drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved chair, set up for use.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view in frontelevation of the chair with the seat folded.

Figure 3'is an enlarged detail view of one of the seat pivots taken on the line 33 Figure 2 and looking in the direction of. the

arrows.

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the seat showing the seat catch or look. I

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the chair chiefly in section, showing the'chair in erect or acting position.

Figure 6-is a vertical section of" the chair with the seat folded, the view being taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a skeleton view in side eleva tion showing the relative positions of the collapsible parts of the chair when the seat is folded; and t Figure 8 is a similar view with the same parts about to be projected into erect or extended position. y

In the preferred'embodiment shown, the back of the chair and the backlegs are composed principallyof a single tubular mem ber of approximately inverted U-shap'e extending from top to bottom of the chair. This results in the formationof a back frame 1 located above the seat t and a pair of back legs 2 extending, from the seat, down to the floor. The back legs 2 are practically straight from floor rests to the locality of the pivots'for the seat and from this point they extend rearward and inward of the seat to a point where they are again slightly bent to project approximately upright with just enough incline to make a comfortable back 7 rest. i

A curved back plate 5, preferably metal, is spotwelded or otherwise suitablyv fixed to the back frame adjacent the rounded to'p thereof,a space being left between the frame top andplate 5 to provide a hand grip around the top for handling the chair. lhe bottom edge of the plate is also curved to correspond substantially with the curvature ofthe front of the seat.

The single front leg 3 is constructed preferably of the same material asthe back legs and has a forked upper extension 6, the two rearward branching parts thereof having their extremities flattened out and provided with bolt or the like holes so as to hingedly connect the front leg to the under side of the seat 4 at the front edge thereof. For this purpose L-shaped straps or the'like 7 are secured in spaced relation to the under side of the seat withone of'their angular faces depending downward and also having open-1 ings through which bolts or the like may passfor connecting the leg. r

The seat'construction includes a cushion, leather as an example, the upholstery of in with the general design.

which is securely fixed in the nesting parts of the frame 8, which are joined by small bolts, rivets, screws or the like. The construction of the seat per se is only briefly referred to here since it has little to do with the existing novelty so far as this particular case is concerned. It should be noted, however, that the inner nesting part 9 hasa cover piece, preferably of sheetv metal like the other parts of the seat frame, which provides an anchoring surface for the L-shaped strap hangers 7 as well as other attachments to be hereinafter described. I also wish to point out that the shape of the seat blends The modified cone-like shape thereof also corresponds with the general outline of the space between the side members of the back restbelow the plate 5. As shown to best advantage in Figures 2 and 6 the seat when folded is all but contained in this space. The seat is hinged or pivoted between the back legs just below the first bend therein. A connection suitable for this purpose may be constructed by welding a U-strap or channel piece 10 to the inside of each of the back legs with its cross piece adapted to lie parallel with the side of the seat frame and having an opening therein for the reception of a bolt or the like 11 5 projecting through the seat frame. The parts '10 space the seat from the inside of the back legs so that the sides of the seat can be folded in the space between the back frame.

Secured to the nested part 9 under the seat and extending from front to back centrally thereof is a slotted channel track 12 havingoutwardly presented attaching flanges flat against the plate of the nested top. Confined in the channel of this track is a slidable block 13 having depending portions projecting through the groove to provide a pivot mounting 14 at one end and a barb-like tooth 15 at its opposite end. Hingedly anchored to the pivot mounting 14 on the sliding I block is an oblique channeled brace 16 for the seat.

Its hinged connection with the pivot mounting is effected by cutting away the metal intermediate the angular faces thereof to provide a recess for the reception i of the mounting part 14 and with registering openings in the angular faces registering with an opening in the part 14 and through which a bolt is passed. The recess in the channel of this brace is faced forward, the purpose of which will be presently described, and the opposite or lower end of the brace is pivoted at to a small upstanding boss 18 between the extremities of the arched back leg brace 19. The pivoted connection at this end of l the brace 16 is made in practically the same a bend 17. the body thereof to clear the edge of the seat manneras at the opposite end. It should be noted that the brace is deflected from astraight line between its ends, preferably. by The bend 17 in the brace enables m aximum frame when the seat is folded. Attention is also called to thefact that this bend-is formed to meet the edge of-the seat frame when the parts are folded. Also pivotally secured to the leg brace 19 immediately below theoblique brace 16 and withits connection made'to a boss at right angles to the boss '18 is horizontal brace 20. This particular braceis also a channel-like member but with its recess presented downward. It is connected at its forward end to the front, leg

3 by abifurcated pivotal connection 22. A

"part of the seat and continue to'move the same to'the limit of its extended position. As the seatmoves forward the block 13 will slide forward in the track 12 until it comes to restadjacent the front end of the track. At this stage it will trip and ride underthe pivoted latch 23 and automatically interlock therewith under the influence of the spring 24 to hold the seat down.- This latch may be conveniently made as a one-piece stamping having attaching ears between its ends which straddle the track 12 with a pivotal connection therewith. A lip is provided on the latch for engaging the barb on the block. The actuating end of the latch terminates adj acent the forward edge of the seat so that anyone grasping the edge of the seat at the most convenient locality to raise-the same may conveniently use a finger to press the "latch and release the slide. The latch is posi' tioned between the forks of the front leg, and it acts as aguide for the hand to the extent that if the seat is gripped between the forks one or more fingers'will surely rest upon the .latch. The latch is thus automatically operated for all practical purposes. Being under'the seat and located as described it is concealed, which is desirable, yet easily located. Another advantage in having the latch located .in the position described is that the seat must be gripped at a point which happens to be a location that gives leverage in the'act of raising the seat. r

The foregoing describes the construction of the chair parts and their assembly. However, their cooperative relationship, the relative positions of the pivot points and the distribution of forces transmitted from one part to another are also important features. In this connection I wish to call particular attention to the nesting of the front leg 3 in the recess of the horizontalbrace 20 when the seat is folded, and the nesting of the'brace 7 20 in the recess of the oblique-brace 16. These Ill and 25.

three parts move into "foldedposition in the same plane, the pivot points for the rear ends of the braces are fixed, and the pivot points for their forward ends aremovable from a projected position in advance of the rear ends to a position in substantially the same vertical plane.

The sliding connection for the brace 16 in the channeledtrack permits a free folding action of the seat, but just before the seat position in which the pivot'24'lies in the plane defined by the seat pivots 11 andthe brace pivot 25, that is to say, past a dead center position of theseat with respect to the frame,

the tensional pull on the brace 16 due to the legs being .drawn together holds the seat 1 to the seat to extend behind the dead center folded behind thedead center position, under tension against the stop between the bend 17 onthe brace 16 and the edge of the seat. The

seat is thus folded into a position with the brace 16 across the dead center which it cannot move out of except by imparting a decided forward thrust thereto. Accidental or unintentional lowering of the seat will thereforebe avoided.

This actionis well represented in Figures 7 and 8. For instance, in Figure 8 the movement of the sliding block has already been arrested andthe spaced angular position of the three pivot points shows the oblique brace pivot on the brace 19 in a position that it .would assume when the seat is extended which is below the horizontal plane that intersects its center when the seat is folded. In other words the brace 19 flexes and the legs 2 draw together to permit the seat to fold past the dead center of the brace pivots 24 The brace and front leg3 have no direct effect on the folding action, although it should be noted that the brace 20 controls the folding and extension of thefront leg.

I do not herein claim the artistic design of thischair, as the same forms the'subject of a separate application filed'by me under date of May 18, 1927 Serial No. 22,028,patented Aug. 23, 1927, Des. 73,27 5. c Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 2 7 r 1. In a chair structure, a frame comprising backlegs, a folding seat pivoted to the" back legs, a yieldable brace between the back legs, an oblique brace slidably connected at one end to the seatand pivoted at its .oppo v site end .tothe yieldable brace, said oblique.

brace being deflected intermediateits'ends to seat in folded position.

provide -an-end adapted to cross behindsthe dead center position of the seat in the chair structure whereby to automatically lock the '12. In a chair structure, a, mam frame comprising back legs, a seat pivotally mounted between said legs to swing behind the plane of the back legs, a frontleg having a forked end pivotally connected with the seat at spaced points'remote fromthe seatpivots whereby" a firm front leg attachment is ac-- c omplished, an oblique brace slidably mounted'at one end to the seat and yieldably pivoted at its opposite end to the main frame, and a horizontal brace pivoted at one end to the front leg and at its opposed end to the frame. r P r 3QIn a chair structure, a framecomprisingback legs, a foldable seat pivotally mounted between the back legs to swing upwardly therebetween from open to closed position, an oblique brace pivoted to the frame at one end and connected to the seat at its other end, said oblique brace being deflected intermediate its ends to permit said end connected positionof the seat with respect to the back legs when the same is folded,and a yieldable connection between said brace and the chair frame comprising an arched braceconnect- 'ing the-back legs of the chair." I i 4C. In. a metal chalr construction, a frame forming back legs and a seat pivotally mount- 7 and said frame, said oblique brace having'a sliding pivotal connection with the seat at one end and a connection at its opposite end with the yieldable brace, and being deflected intermediate its ends to permit the slidably connectedvend thereof to extend behind the dead center position of the seat when the same is in raised position.

i 5; In a metal chair construction, a frame forming back'legs and af'back rest formed 2 as a continuation of the back legs, a seat pivotally mounted between the back legs to swing therebetween, a yieldable brace between the back legs, a pivoted oblique brace extending between the seat and said yieldable brace,

a front leg pivoted to the seat and a pivoted horizontal-brace connecting said front leg with the frame, said oblique brace having a sliding pivotal connection with the seat at one end andpivotally connected at its opposite end to the yieldable brace, said oblique brace being deflected from a straight line "between its ends to permit one ,e'nd'to cross behind the dead center position of the seat when the same is inraised position, and .co-

operating means on the seatandthe sliding between, a yieldable brace connecting the back legs, an obliqueibrace pivoted at one end to said yieldable brace, and having a sliding pivotalconnection at its other end -with the seat, said oblique brace being deflect-ed from a straight line intermediate its ends to permit the end which is connected to the seat to cross the dead center position of the seat when the same is moved to folded position, and cooperating means formed on the seat and on the sliding connection for -locking the seat in open position, said means comprising a spring pressed latch mounted on the seat and adapted to lockingly engage a latch keeper formed in the sliding connection. s

7 A substantially all-metal chair comprising a tubular rod-like" member bent to form a pair of spaced back legs and a back rest as a continuation thereof, a seat pivoted between the back legs to swing into a folded position substantially parallel with the back rest, a yieldable brace secured between the back legs, an oblique brace having a sliding connection with the seat and a pivoted connection with the said yieldable brace, a single front leg pivoted to the seat, at. spaced points to provide a firm pivotal connection, and a horizontal brace pivoted to said yieldable brace and the front leg.

8. A substantially all-metal chair comprising a tubular rod-like member bent to form a pair of spaced back legs and a back rest as a continuation thereof, a seat pivoted between the back legs to swing into folded position substantially parallel with the back rest, a yieldable brace secured between the back legs, an oblique brace having a sliding connection with the seat and a pivoted connection withthe said yieldable brace, a single front leg having forked branches pivoted to the seat,

and a horizontal brace pivoted to said yieldable brace and the front leg, all of saidpivoted braces including the front leg being deflected from a straight line between their respective ends so as to fold with the seat in closely nested relation in the frame.

9. A seat pivotally mounted to swing upward, a brace for the seat, a block-like member to which'the brace is pivoted, means on the seat for slidably mounting said block-like member, and means on the seat for releasably engaging said member at the limit of its forward movement for locking the seat in its extended position, comprising a springpressed latch positioned to automatically on gage the block-like member and having a lip arranged to ride over a projection on said member and seat behind the same.

, the seat for slidably mounting said block-like member, and means on the seat'for releasably engaging said'member at the limit of its for ward movement for locking the seat in its extended position, comprising a spring- ;pressed latch positioned to automatically en gage the block-like member and having a lip arranged to ride over a projection on said member and seat behind the same, the seat having a front supporting leg with forked branches on the leg pivotedto the seat, and saidlatch having an actuating'end positioned between-said forked branches. 1

11:. In a chair construction, a main frame comprising back legs, a seat pivoted between said legs to fold upwardly therebetween, a front leg having a forked end pivotally connected tothe seat wherebyfa'firm attachment is accomplished, an oblique brace slidably mounted at one end to the seat and yieldably pivoted at its opposite end to the main frame, and a horizontal bracepmoted at one end to the front leg and at its opposite end to the frame below the pivoted end of the oblique brace whereby, when the seat is in folded position, the front leg may be closely folded substantially parallel with the seat and frame.

12. Afolding chair having a main frame, a seat pivoted in the frame, an oblique brace slidably connected at one end to the seat, and at the other end pivotally connected to the main frame, a forked front leg having spaced portions pivotally connected to the seat at spaced portions whereby a-firm front leg connection is accomplished, and a brace pivoted to the main frame and to the front leg below theforked portion.

13. A folding chair having a main frame providing a. resilient portion, a seat pivoted in said frame to swing therein between open and folded position, and anoblique brace pivot-ed at its lower end to the resilient portion of the frame, said brace having, at its upper end, a sliding connection with the seat, a stop so positioned on the seat as to limit the slidingmovement ofthe upper end of the brace when in line with the seat and brace pivots whereby to tension the resilient portion ofthe frame, the sliding end of the brace extending behind the seat and brace pivots when the seat is in folded-position.

14. A folding chairhaving a main frame forming a backrest and legs, a seat pivoted in said frame to swing up and down therein and an oblique brace pivoted at one end to a resilientportion of the frame and having at its upper end' a sliding connection with the seat, a stop on the seat so positioned as to limit the sliding movement of the upper end of the brace with respect to the seat when in line with the seat and brace pivots, the brace ice ' being oif-set whereby its sliding end extends behind the plane defined by the points about which the seat and the said brace are pivoted in the frame.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOHN B. ADLER. 

